without an arrest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without an arrest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing legal situations, law enforcement, or actions taken without detaining someone. Example: "The police conducted the investigation without an arrest, allowing the suspect to remain free while gathering evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Even without an arrest warrant, Nisman's charges have proven to be a judicial hot potato.

The Guardian

Weeks passed, then months, without an arrest in what became known as the "career girl killings".

The New York Times

"I think it should have been possible to handle this without an arrest".

The New York Times

As months slipped by without an arrest, the Ottens family grew closer together and shut others out.

The Guardian

Nearly nine out of every 10 people stopped and interrogated on our streets are let go without a citation or summons — and certainly without an arrest.

The New York Times

This is yet another instance of over-policing in which a situation could have been addressed without an arrest, let alone the use of force.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

HRW itself acknowledges that "most stops reported to Human Rights Watch consisted of police questioning, searching, and demands to 'move along' without resulting in an arrest".

Huffington Post

Yet the day ended without a warrant, or an arrest.

The New Yorker

It also allows the police to make an arrest without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe that a person is deportable.

The New York Times

The California Supreme Court ruled in January that police officers could examine text messages and other phone data without a warrant during an arrest.

The New York Times

A common law rule from Great Britain permits searches incident to an arrest without a warrant.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without an arrest" when describing situations where an investigation or interaction occurs but does not lead to someone being formally detained or charged.

Common error

Avoid using "without an arrest" in contexts where a legal situation isn't implied. For example, saying "the party ended without an arrest" is only appropriate if there was an expectation of potential legal issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without an arrest" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action was performed, specifically the lack of an arrest. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without an arrest" serves as a concise way to indicate the absence of legal detention in a given situation. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and most frequently used in news and media contexts. When writing, it's crucial to ensure that the context appropriately implies a potential legal situation, as misusing the phrase can lead to awkward or confusing sentences. Alternatives such as "without being apprehended" or "without detention" may be more fitting depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase enjoys high source quality, but shows a rare usage frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without being apprehended

Focuses on the lack of physical capture or detainment.

without detention

Emphasizes the absence of holding someone in custody.

without being taken into custody

Specifically emphasizes the avoidance of official detainment.

without being charged

Highlights the absence of formal accusations.

without any formal charges

Like "without being charged", but stronger emphasis.

without any charges filed

More explicit about the lack of legal action initiated.

without prosecution

Focuses on the lack of legal proceedings.

without any legal action

A broader term encompassing any form of legal intervention.

without being booked

Highlights the absence of formal record-keeping after an arrest.

without any judicial process

Emphasizes the circumvention of the judicial system.

FAQs

How can I use "without an arrest" in a sentence?

Use "without an arrest" to describe situations where law enforcement is involved but no one is taken into custody. For example, "The police investigated the incident "without an arrest" due to lack of evidence".

What's the difference between "without an arrest" and "without charges"?

"Without an arrest" means no one was taken into custody. "Without charges" means no formal accusations were filed, which can happen even after an arrest. Someone might be arrested but released "without charges".

What can I say instead of "without an arrest"?

You can use alternatives like "without being apprehended", "without detention", or "without being charged" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "The protest ended without an arrest"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "The protest ended "without an arrest"" means that no one was taken into custody by the police during or after the protest.